Police unsure who shot man at Punda Maria protests
The protests were sparked by the murder of 16-year-old, Wisane Maluleke, last week, who was shot and killed next to the Maphophe soccer field by an unknown gunman.
LIMPOPO – Police in Limpopo say they are unsure who fired the shot that killed a 26-year-old man at a protest in Punda Maria over the weekend.
The protests were sparked by the murder of 16-year-old, Wisane Maluleke, last week, who was shot and killed next to the Maphophe soccer field by an unknown gunman.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says an angry mob of Saselamani residents barricaded the Punda Maria public road by burning tyres and then turned their anger towards the local police, accusing them of doing nothing to solve Maluleke’s case. The mob also accused a local man of being responsible for the murder.
Police and members of the Public Order Police Unit dispersed the crowd but a police vehicle was slightly damaged when a petrol bomb was thrown at the police. “When the crowd finally dispersed, the body of a 26-year-old man was found lying next to the road with a bullet wound. It is not clear at this stage who fired the shot, but this will be determined by unfolding investigations,” Mojapelo explained.
The police have opened cases of inquest, malicious damage to property and public violence.
“The inquest investigation has been referred to the Independent Police Investigations Directorate (IPID) for further handling. A man, believed to be 40-years-old, has been arrested on charges of malicious damage to property and public violence and more arrests are expected,” Mojapelo concluded.
